Agenda Item: 13
CITY OF SANTA CLARITA
AGENDA REPORT
CONSENT CALENDAR
CITY MANAGER APPROVAL:
DATE: July 9, 2024
SUBJECT: 2024 DEBRIS MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR DISASTER DEBRIS
REMOVAL
DEPARTMENT: Neighborhood Services
PRESENTER: Darin Seegmiller
RECOMMENDED ACTION
City Council adopt a resolution for the 2024 Debris Management Plan for Disaster Debris Removal.
BACKGROUND
On September 14, 2021, the City Council adopted the 2021 Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP). Per the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 (Public Law 106-390), all state, county, and local agencies must have an HMP. This plan must be adopted by the governing body for the agency to be eligible to receive pre- and post-disaster federal funding.
The City of Santa Clarita's (City) local HMP identifies local hazards and reflects the City's commitment to reduce risks from natural and artificial hazards. In the HMP, debris removal is listed as a key support requirement for the cleanup of brick, glass, wood, steel, or concrete building elements, office and home contents, and other materials. Developing a strong debris management strategy is essential in post-disaster recovery. Debris removal is listed specifically in the sections of extreme wind storms, landslides, mudslides, and earthquakes.
The City drafted the Debris Management Plan (DMP) with initial guidance from the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services to use as a resource for debris removal activities due to a significant, citywide disaster. The DMP will be an additional tool alongside the HMP and Emergency Operation Plan. The plan provides the foundation for a long-term strategy to reduce impacts to the City and its residents during and after a disaster. The DMP includes considerations of temporary debris storage and reduction sites, such as selection of sites located throughout the City, preparation, operations, and regulatory requirements. The DMP also prescribes debris removal methods, allowing roads to be safely accessed by law enforcement and emergency vehicles. In addition, debris monitoring and reduction methods include recycling as an essential
part of the plan to reduce waste going to landfills.
The DMP and the debris removal activities are based on the scenarios of the following potential disasters:
• Wildfire
• Earthquake
• Flood
• Hazardous Materials
• Landslide/Mudslide/Subsidence
• Severe Weather
• Terrorist Event
For example, in the event of an earthquake when the Emergency Operations Center is activated, some of the initial activities would include:
• Debris Management Task Force meets
• Disaster debris contractor and waste haulers contacted • Type, amount, and location of debris estimated
• Debris in the right-of-way in areas that hinder emergency services moved • Debris moved to temporary debris storage sites, once priority is given to necessary access points and key routes
• Debris monitored, sorted, and weighed to provide necessary documentation for federal reimbursement
In addition, providing efficiency in disaster debris removal, adopting this formal plan also supports eligibility for pre- and post-disaster federal funding for debris removal activities.
Compiling the plan encompassed a comprehensive process that included a collaborative effort and review among City staff, disaster contractors, and waste haulers. The plan will be reviewed every five years for necessary updates and revisions.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION
Other direction as determined by the City Council.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact.
ATTACHMENTS
2024 Debris Management Plan (available in the City Clerk's Reading File) Resolution